July 23, 2012. Egidio Antonaccio’s “Realism of Light and Abstractions – Landscapes” will be the Carlton Gallery’s featured artist exhibition for July 28 – August 19 with an opening reception July 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. Egidio Antonacciois a realistic impressionist whose oil paintings express his love of nature. He is a man gifted with a rare talent. Having studied with some of the great Italian masters of fine art, he has developed a brilliant and commanding style. Born in Castelluccio, Italy, in 1954, Egidio Antonaccio graduated from the Institute of Fine Art in Castrovillari, Italy, in 1973. Then in 1978, he graduated with honors from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy.

In 1981, Egidio Antonaccio came to the United States and made North Carolina his home. The mountains sunlit valleys and shadowy hillsides have become the inexhaustible source of inspiration for the artist. Nationwide, Antonaccio is mostly known for his floral landscapes, the themes of which vary from the elegance of the garden in a secluded estate to the simplicity of a path with dogwood trees and azalea bushes. His technique is light and delicate and his themes are romantic and gentle; each painting evokes feelings of strength, grace and wonderment. From floral gardens, richly foliaged and filled with summer scents, to vast panoramic views of hillsides and valleys, Antonaccio is multi-talented with ingenious imagination.

Egidio Antonaccio has been remarkably successful since he came to the United States. His works are published by one of the leading art publishing companies, the Bentley Publishing Group, and are included into numerous private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Europe.

The Stone Sculpture was created from concrete and wire mesh. She was designed to enhance gardens and bring beauty to yards and surroundings. She was finished with a decorative faux technique used in various paints.

About the Gallery

Art galleries come and go in the area, but one that has stood the test of time and continues to bring fine art to Western North Carolina is Carlton Gallery. From a small fiber studio begun in 1982, Carlton Gallery, a fine art contemporary gallery, is observing its 30th year.

Gallery owner, Toni Carlton, extends a heartfelt appreciation to all the artists, literally hundreds, who have created, inspired and supported her vision to promote the work of local, regional, national and international artists. Their fine art and contemporary crafts have graced the walls, pedestals, jewelry cases and shelves.

For 21 years the gallery was located in the Creekside Building, formerly known as the Kiln Room in the 1970s. In 2008 Carlton Gallery moved across Hwy 105 into the former Antonaccio Fine Art Gallery. “After many floods, challenges with beavers, raccoons, and a leaky roof, it was a little sad to say good-bye to the Creekside Building”, Toni says, “but we are happy in our perfect home today”.